Agenda item

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Penalty Points Scheme - Results of Consultation

Minutes:

The Committee considered the responses received to the consultation survey conducted on the proposed introduction of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Penalty Points Scheme.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), introduced the report and in doing so reminded the Committee that at the Licensing Committee meeting held on 14th November 2016; Members approved for a consultation survey to be carried out with licence holders and other relevant organisations on the proposed introduction of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Penalty Points Scheme.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS, drew Members’ attention to Appendix 3 to the report, which provided a summary of the consultation responses received and Appendix 4 to the report which detailed additional observations from a licensed driver.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS, further informed the Committee that a total of fifteen responses were received. Twelve responses from licensed drivers, two from Parish Councils and one from a district councillor. Those licensed drivers who responded were not in favour of the introduction of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Penalty Points Scheme.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS, explained that there were a number of offences or acts of non-compliance that respondents felt that the Council should not have included within the penalty points scheme. One of which was the requirement to carry a first aid kit. Officers were aware that currently Bromsgrove District Council’s licensing conditions did not require drivers to carry a first aid kit in their vehicles and therefore agreed that the failure to carry a first aid kit should be removed from the scope of any penalty points scheme implemented by the Council.

Both Parish Councils who had responded to the consultation survey made suggestions regards amending the number of points issued in respect of different offences and acts of non-compliance.

Appendix 4 to the report detailed a number of observations for consideration by the Committee which were submitted by a licensed driver.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS, highlighted that a very small number of complaints / non-compliances were received by WRS. The vast majority of drivers did comply and carried out a very good job. The introduction of such a scheme would enable officers from WRS an additional mechanism for dealing with minor offences and acts of non-compliance and would help identify drivers who repeatedly offended or failed to comply with the licensing requirements placed upon them.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS responded to a number of questions from Members and clarified a number of points with regard to the offences as listed on page 11 in the report and that other local authorities operated similar penalty points schemes.

Further discussion followed whereby Members commented that the introduction of such a scheme would help to address some of the concerns previously raised by Licensing Committee Members; with over ranking being one of the concerns raised.

Councillor S.R. Peters sought clarification from the Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS, with regard to whether penalty points could be awarded regardless of the geographical location and if so, could that be made clear in the proposed penalty points scheme.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS, responded and stated that points could be awarded to a driver, proprietor and/or operator, regardless of the geographical location of the offence or breach of condition identified.

Councillor S.R. Peters requested that it be recorded that he had abstained from voting on this matter.

RESOLVED:

(a) that the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Penalty Points Scheme be amended to include information on geographical area;

(b) that as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report, Offence Number 8, failure to provide a first aid kit, be removed; and

(c) that following the amendments, as detailed in the pre-amble above, the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Penalty Points Scheme be approved.

Supporting documents: